Fluid control device



Feb. 9, 1943. G. H. ORR

FLUID CONTROL DEVICE Filed My l'7,` 1939 lNVl-NTOR Glenn H. Orr BY 4. maplk ATTORNEYS Patented eb).y `9,

lo ,Y 2.310,3o` .i FLUID comorlnEvrcE y Glenn Elon-,Ammonimassignorturne Gen. l al Tire & Rubber Compannakron, omo, al

" corpora-tionof hio Applicauon'rray 1r, 1939. semi maracas a ze claims.

This invention relates rotary seals andthe like,` such'asare usedtocontrol Athe flow of fluid into and Vout of a passage in asrotatingfshaft;

more particularly thel invention 4 has reference to a device ofthiswcharacter which is to be used infrequently for Athe occasionallintroduction of fluid underzpressure into a'shaft passage or lfor theoccasional release of uid from such passage'.

In devices which require the supply or release of-.iluid of one kind oranother tof orfrom a passage inl a `rotating shaft, some difiicultyhasbeen experienced because of the wear which occurs in the packing, glandor other seal of fthe joint between the rotating( parts ofthe systemandthe stationary` parts of the system. Where the connection between theshaft passage and thestationary portions ofthe fluid systemfis effectedatone end ofthe shaft, the wear. due to the sliding friction is notexcessive and conventional packing glands are ,satisfactory .for Vmostpurposes.` However, where the connection between the rotatingshaftpassage and the relatively stationary parts of the fluid system areto beeffected at apoint of the :shaft intermediate Y the ends thereof,considerably kgreaterv diiilculties larise because of theincreasedfareas of the friction surfaces involved and the greater rela.-tivevelocity of the sliding parts with respect to one another. In manyapplications fluidV needl be forced into or released from the shaftpassage only duringa relatively short period of time and atdiscontinuous or intermittent, intervals. Therefore,4v it is apparentthat conventional fluidsealing Vdevices which maintain a continuouslfluid seal betweenthe rotating shaft passage andthe stationary,external partsof the .systemy are subjected to unnecessary and excessivewear which dissipates power and shortens the -life ofthe device. It istherefore an object of thepresent invention to provide afdevice foreffecting a fluidY seal `between a rotating'shaft passageandV-anexternal fluid supply ingwhich'the parts are norp mally relieved ofexcessive sliding frictionalengagementandin which theparts are; adaptedto bey brought into fluidvsealing engagement. with one another atintermittent discontinuous intervals asprequired. a y

,Another object is` to, provideina device of-,the

characterv described, improved means for introf ducingfiuidunderupressureinto a rotatingshaft passage atintermittenttimeintervalsand means for releasingiiuidy under 4pressurefrcm the rotatingshaft passage at intermittent time intervals. ,Anotherobjectis toprovide a rotaryseal in which the means for introducing fluid underpressure into the rotating shaft passage is relatively-independentV offthe means for releasing fluid from the rotating shaft passage. y

Another object is to provide a rotary fluid seal for controllingthe flowof iiuidinto andout of a rotating'- shaft passage in which the packingglandr is normally spaced'from the rotating portions Vof 'the assemblyrand is broughtinto fric- .tional engagement only during such timeintervals as farerequired'for Vthe yflow of fluid. `More specifically,the invention aims'to provide a seal ofthe character mentioned in whicha normally rotating part or partacarried by theshaft; are frictionallyengaged by the packing gland during the time intervals when itis.desired to flow iiuidinto Athe shaft passageyso that the frictionalengagementbetween .ther gland? and rotating' members causes thelatter'to cease rotating.

A further object is to provide a device forcon'- trolling theA flow offluid into and out of. ajrotating member or shaft,y whichis relativelysimple in design and construction and inexpensivev to manufacture; Otherobjects and advantages will become' apparent from" the followingdetailed de, scriptionbfa suitable embodiment of the invention'4 made lin connection iwith the accompanying dra'wi'ng-,inwhicm` w f Figure 1 isa fragmentary sideielevational view,- partly-diagrammaticand partly insection land with partsl removed, of :a disc'onnectabledrive, mechanismshowing the application of my rotary.

seal or'fluid flowcontrol device to the drive shaft; l Fig. 2 is atransverse-sectional view ofthe duid flow control device ftakenvsubstantially on the line 22`of Fig.1;"'4 1M f y Fig. 3`is ayfragmentary detail in'section showingjthemanner in which thedeformablefgland engages "the annular member or. members to efy fectafluid-tight-fseal therewith.. This view is taken substantially onftheline 341-1 of Fig. 2

and is enlarged with respect thereto; and. l -v Figi 451s a fragmentary'detail in section taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2andenlarged withV respect thereto. v A The t present.inventioncontemplates` a construction in 'which a deformablegland,\disposed about a rotatable sha'ft andl utilized in eecting afluid-tight seal between therotating andsta-v tionary parts of the`device, is normally disposed in confronting spaced ,relation withrespect'to the rotating parts'fand isarranged to be brought intofrictional engagement; ywith f suchrotating parts during'A the timeintervals when itl-1s desired `to establish a fluid seal and to owfluidinto the shaft. The invention also contemplates means for releasingfluid from a rotating shaft which includes an actuating element normallydisengaged from the rotating parts and movable to engage one or more ofthe rotating parts during such period or periods of time as thereleasing of uid occurs. 'I'he specic embodiment shown in the drawingand the application of the invention to a power drive assembly will nowbe described, reference being made to the various parts by lettersandnumerals which indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The fluid control device or rotary seal is indicated generally at A andis mounted on a shaft B which carries a drive wheel including adeformable annulus C of the drive mechanism or power transmissiondevice. The annulus C is engageable with the inside cylindrical surfaceof a drum-like friction member D secured on a driven shaft E. Theresilient disconnectable drive, including the deformable element C andthe friction drum D, form no part of the present invention and are shownfor the purpose of illustrating one application of the fluid oWcontrolling or rotary sealing device A. In order to establish a drivebetween the members C and D, Vfluid is introduced into chamber I of thedeformableelement C to expand or inflate the samethrough a radialpassage 2 inthe shaft B and wheel 3 ,on which theannulus C is mounted.The passage 2 and a radial passage 4 removed from the region of thewheel 3 are connected by anaxial passage 5 formed in the shaft B. Y

.If desired, the shafts B and E may be retained in alignment by abearing assembly 6, itvbeing understood, of course, that for the purposeof the present invention the specific arrangement of the drive anddriven shafts and other parts of the assembly are immaterial and thatthe novel features are to be found in the fluid control or rotary sealA. i Q

Disposed about the shaft B is an annular ringlike member 1 which isU-shaped in cross section and has spaced parallel flange portions whichare in circumferential seating engagement wit-h the surface of the shaftB, thus, dening an annular fluid chambery 8. The member 1 is secured tothe shaft for rotation therewith and is `disposed so that the chamber 8is in communication with the radial passage 4 in the shaft. On Oppositesides of the member 1 are a pair of guides 9 and I0 which may extendcircumferentially about the shaft B'and abut against the side flanges'of the member 1. Preferably, gaskets II of rubber or other suitablepacking material and triangular in section are received incutawayvportions of the guides 9 and I0 and are arranged to jbe forcedagainst the shaft Bland edges,A of the anges of the member 1 so as toeffect a seal between these parts. The rings 9 and I0 may be secured tothe shaft B in any suitable manner such as by welding, so that theguides rotate with the shaft and prevent the device from4 moving axiallyon the shaft andto prevent the Vguides from spreading apart. l i

The guides 9 and I0 are provided with outwardly directed circumferentialfriction surfaces I2 which are concentric to the axis of rotation of theshaft B and are preferably of approximately equal radius toreceive themating surfaces of an annular fluid transferring member or ring whichmay be a single integral structure, or, as shown, may comprise acooperating pair of 'formed of hardened steel, while the annular ringmembers I3 and I4 may be of brass or similar `Wear-resisting materialthat slides well on steel.

The guides 9 and I0 extend radially beyondthe chambered member 1 toprovide circumferential radial shoulders I 5, against which radialsurfaces I6 of the annular rings I3 and I4 abut to prevent axialmovement of the rings.

The rings I3 and I4 are disposed on the guides 9 and I0 so that innerradial faces I1 and I8 of the rings are slightly spaced from one anotherto provide an approximately circumferentially continuous passage I 9through the fiuid transfer member, which communicates with the chamber 8through one or more openings or holes 20 in the annular member 1. Tokeep these holes normally closed or sealed, they are provided withautomatic uni-directional valves such as flap valves 23;:1of rubber `orother suitable exible resilient material. s These valves are arranged sothat while the flow of fluid or air into the chamber 8 through thepassage I9 and openingor openings 20 is permitted, outflow of fluid orair through the openings 20 is arrested or prevented.

While the annular fluid transferring member is shown as composed of thetwo rings I3 and I4 and their connecting parts, it is to be understoodthat the rings may be integral or `rigidly secured together. In suchcase, the passage I9 could be formed through the central part of themember and function in the manner set forth herein. The formation of thefluid transfer member in several parts is for thepurpose of effectingand maintaining, over prolonged periods of use, of an effective sealbetween the guides 9 and I0 and the same member; the springs 26compensating for wear of the parts. Accordingly, where it is stated thatthe fluid passage extends through the annular fluid transfer member orring,-reference is made to the circumferential passage I9 which,although between the parts I3 and I4, extends through the fluid transfermember comprising such parts.

-A multiplicity of axially disposed hardened steel pins 24 extendbetween the annular rings annular friction members or rings I4 and I5.

I3 and I4 and are slidingly received thereby in sockets 25. These pinsconnect the rings so that t-he latter rotate in unison, and helicalcompression springs 26.disposed about the pins 24 andbearing'against'the faces I1 and I8 normally urge the rings I3 and I4axially apart so as to press the radial surfaces I6 thereof against theshoulders I5 ofthe guides, thus establishing a sufiiciently` effectivefluid tight seal between the guides and the annular rings or fluidtransferring member.

'I'he .guides 9 and I 0 with the annular ring member I3 and I4 and thechambered member 'I embraced thereby are disposed within a relativelystationary housing assembly comprising body member 21 and end members 28and 29. This housing may be supported in'any suitable fashion, onemanner being to carry the same on the shaft B, as shown.V For thispurpose the guide 9 is formed with an axial extension portion 30 whichembraces the shaft B and is provided with a reduced diameter end 3|which receives inner race 32 of a ballbearing assembly. Outer race 33 issecured within and circumferentially embraced by end member 28 of thehousing assembly, the said end member-beingisecured to the body member21 by bolts 34 and end member 29 Il I Y being secured to the body memberby bolts 35. In this manner the housing assembly is rotatably mounted onthe shaft B by means of ball bearings 36. A radially extending foot 31is formed on the body member 21 and is received with a socket 48 of apedestal 4I which is held in a stationary position such as by beingsecured to a suitable foundation 42. It is to be understood that thefoot 31 has a relatively loose flt or connection in the socket 48 so asto permit slight radial or axial shifting of the rotary seal A duringoperation While preventing rotation of the same. y l c The annular ringsI3 and I4 of the fluid transfer member are provided with outwardlydirected friction surfaces 38 and 39, each of which is preferably oftapered conical form. 'I'hese friction surfaces are arranged so thatthey slope radially inwardly toward the circumferential passage I9, thelarge diameter portions of the rings I3 and I4 being remote from oneanother. i n

Secured on the inside of the body member 21 and in confronting relationto the surfaces 38 and 39 of the fluid transfer member is an annulardeformable gland member 44 which may be formed of any suitable resilientmaterial such as rubber composition having sulcient inherent stiffnessor resiliency to normally retain its shape. Preferably, the gland 44 isreceived within an annular channel or groove 45 formed in the body 21,so that in securing the gland to the body, such as by vulcanization, thebond may extend across the entire axial length of outer circumference 46of the gland and over end surfaces 41 thereof. Inwardly directedcircumferential or annular friction surfaces 48 and 49 of the gland aredisposed in substantially parallel confronting relation with respect tothe surfaces 38 and 39 of the rings I3 and I4. Y

As shown in Fig. 4, the friction surface 48 of the gland is normallyspaced from the friction surface. 38 of the annular ring I3 and isparallel thereto. Similarly, the friction surface 49 of the gland isnormally disposed in spaced parallel relation with respect to thefriction surface 39 of the annular ring I4. A circumferentiallyextending chamber 58 is formed within the gland 44 and fluid underpressure may be introduced therein through a passage 52 formed in thegland and communicating with a conduit 5,5 through a passage 53 formedin an extension 54 of the body. member 21. The conduit 55 is connectedto a supply pipe I communicating with a suitable source of air or otherfluid under pressure (not shown) through a four way control valve 56.The valve 56 is of conventional construction and has a rotatable body 59provided with a passagev which may be positioned to connect the portleading to the conduit 55 with the port leading to the supply pipe 5I.Accordingly, by manipulation of the valve 56, high pressure fluidmay beintroduced into the chamber 58 of the gland 44. Preferably, this chamberis co-extensive with the friction surfaces 48 and 49, or substantiallyso, to effect a more efllcient frictional engagement between the glandand the annular fluid transfer member, as will later appear.

One or more radial passages 51 are formed through the inner wall of thegland 44 substantially in the plane of the juncture between the frictionsurfaces 48 and 49 thereof. The passages 51 are thus normally in radialalignment with the continuous circumferential passage I9 through theannular fluid transfer member and between the ring members I3 and I4.Further- 75 Hence upon such distension of the gland 44, the` frictionalsurfaces 48 and 49 thereof engage the friction surfaces 38 and 39,respectively, of the annular ring members I3 and I4. 'Ihe frictionalgrip of the gland on the ring members I3 and I4 of the fluid transfermember, .which are embraced` by the gland, is sufficiently strong tocause slippage or sliding to occur between the ring members and theguides` 9 and I8, so that the fluid transfer member is heldagainstrotation while the shaft B continues to rotate therein.Additionally, the frictional engagement of the surfaces 38 and 39 of thegland with the friction surfaces of the rings I3 and I4 effects anapproximately fluid-tight seal between the gland and fluid transfermember so that high pressure fluid or air ows from the chamber 50 of thegland through the passage or passages 51, into the circumferentialpassage I9, and thence into the chamber 8 through the holes 28 and ap orcheck valves 23. The chamber 8, being in communication with the radialpassage 4 in the shaft B, conducts the high pressure air 0r fluid intothe passages in the shaft from which the fluid flows into the passage 2and thence into the chamber I of the deformable annulus C. Thusinflated, the drive annulus is brought into frictional engagement withthe` frictional surface of the drum Dto establish the driving connectionbetween the shaft B and the shaft E.

A plurality of apertures 58, three in the embodiment illustrated, areformed through the guide I8 and the side flange of the chambered member1 which is disposed against the guide I8. Extending through each of theapertures 58 is a pin 68 having a head 6I provided with a radiallydirected circumferentially continuous flange 62 which seats against theinside of the chambered member 1 about the apertures 58 to normally sealthe same. lThe flange 62 is held against the member 1 in sealingposition by means of a helical compression spring 63. One end of thespring embraces the head 6I, while the other end of the spring isreceived on a stud 64 secured in the flange portion of the member 1which is opposite the apertures 58 and the pins 68. The outer ends ofthe pins 68 are secured in one flange of a ring 65 of angular section.This ring is disposed about the shaft B and isA guided in a circularchannel 66 formed in the guide I8, being held against circumferentialmovement relative to the guide I8 by means of a pin 61 secured'inl thering and axially slidable in a recess 68 in the guide I8.

The angular sectioned ring 65 extends axially of the shaft B beyond theguide I8 and its exposed end is embraced by a circular element 18 ofU-shaped section which opens toward the angularA sectioned ring. TheU-shaped ring or actuating element -1|) is carried in a circular channel1I which is formed in the end member 29 of the housing assembly andopens inwardly toward the guide I8. Between the bottom of the channel 1Iyand the web portion of the U-shaped actuating ring 18 is disposed aninflatable bag 12 formed of a suitable flexible material, such asrubber. This bag is preferably circumferential in extent, beingcontinuous around the shaft B and underlying all portions of the ring18. It is to be understood, of course, that other means for actuatingthe ring may be employed. The normal position of the parts shown in Fig.4 is such that the actuating ring element 10 is out of engagement withthe angular sectioned ring 65, so that the sealing flanges 62 of thepins 60 are held by the springs 63 against the member 1 to seal thechamber 8. An air or uid chamber 13 in the bag 12 is connected by apassage 14 with a conduit 15 secured in the end member 29 of the housingassembly and communicating with the previously mentioned source of highpressure fluid or air through the control valve 56. The passage in thevalve body 59 is arranged so that upon movement of the valve body to asecond position the fluid supply pipe I may be connected to the conduit15 for inflation of the actuating bag 12. Movement of the valve body 59to connect the supply pipe 5| and the conduit 15 automaticallydisconnects the supply pipe and the conduit 55 leading to the gland 44.Hence, the supply pipe may be connected to either the gland 44 or theactuating bag 12, but not to both at the same time. In a thrd positon towhich the valve body 59 may be moved, the conduit I5 may be connectedthrough the passage in the valve body to an outlet 16 in the valve 56 soas to permit the release of fluid from the actuating bag 12. This bag isof sufcient resiliency to resume its normal shape upon the release offluid pressure therefrom. The actuating element issecured to the bag 12,such as by vulcanization, so that upon release of the fluid pressure inthe bag the actuating element is retracted into the channel 1I by thecontraction of the bag to its normal shape. 'Ihis retraction of theelement 10 withdraws the same from engagement with the ring 65. When thebag 12 is inated, the actuating ring element 10 is forced to the left,as viewed in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to engage the angular sectioned ring65, forcing the same to the left and moving the pins 60 in the apertures58 to unseat the valve flanges 62 and release air from the circularchamber 8. It is to be understood that sufficient clearance is providedbetween the pins 66 and the walls of the passages 58 to permit the flowof fluid therethrough. From the passages 58 the released fluid or airows in space 11 between the rotattable assembly (comprising the guides 9and I0, annular rings I3 and I4, chambered member 1 and related parts)and the relatively stationary assembly (comprising the housing memberspreviously described and their related parts). A clearance 18 betweenthe inner circumferential surface of the end member 29 and the shaft Baffords an escape passage for air in the space 11.

The operation of the device in connection with the drive `mechanism orassembly shown in the drawing is as follows: Assuming the shaft B to berotating with the deformable annulus C disconnected from the drum D, adriving connection may be established by introducing high pressure fluidor air into the chamber I of the deformable annulus C. To do so theoperator actuates or positions the valve body 59 of the valve 56 so thatthe chamber 50 of the gland 44 receives high pressure fluid or air fromthe source of supply, as previously described. The gland, thus inflated,expands into frictional engagement with the rings I3 and I4 comprisingthe fluid transfer member so that the latter is progressively brought toa stop and slides circumferentially about the guides 9 and IIJ so longas the rings I3 and I4 are engaged by the gland 4I, see Fig. 3. Uponengagement of the friction surfaces 38 and 39 of the annular rings bythe surfaces 48 and 49, respectively, of the gland, the escape of air orfluid between the rotating stationary parts is substantially, though notnecessarily completely, arrested. Additional high pressure fluid or airintroduced into the chamber 50 of the gland flows through the passages51 into the annular or circumferential passage I9 through the fluidtransfer member between the rings I3 and I4. The chambered member 1 isnow rotating relative to the rings I3 and I4 but the holes 28 thereinretain continuous communication with the circular channel passage I8 sothat the high pressure fluid therein flows into the chamber 8, thenceinto the passages 4, 5, and 2, and finally into the chamber I of thedrive annulus C. During the inflation of the annulus C the valve flanges62 of pins 80 prevent the escape of fluid from the chamber 8, being heldin sealing engagement with the walls of the chamber by the compressionspring 63 and the pressure of the fluid therein. As soon as suillcientfluid has been introduced into the chamber l of the drive annulus theoperator closes the valve 56 by moving the valve body 59 to a positionin which the passage therein is sealed from the port which communicateswith the supply pipe 5I. Because of slight leakage of fluid between theengaged parts of the device, the pressure in the chamber 58 ls relievedand the inherent resiliency or stiffness oi.' the gland 44 causes thesame to assume its normal position (see Fig. 4). Escape of fluid or airfrom the chamber 8 is prevented, however, by the check valves 23, sothat a closed fluid system is maintained to retain the drive annulus Cinflated.

When it is desired to release the driving connection between the parts Cand D. the operator introduces high pressure fluid or air into thechamber 13 of the bag 12 by manipulation of the valve 56. The inflatedbag 12 forces the channel ring or actuating element 10 to the left, asviewed in Figs. 3 and 4, so as to-slidingly engage the angular sectionedring 65 and move the same to the left, it being understood that thechannel 66 is of sufflcient depth to permit this movement. Accordingly,the valvev flanges 62 are unseated, against the force of the springs 63and the fluid pressure, to permit the escape of fluid from the chamber8'and the drive annulus chamber I.

It is apparent from a study of the disclosure set forth above that thepresent invention provides a mechanism for controlling the flow of fiuidor air into and out of a passage in a rotating shaft which mechanism isparticularly adapted for use in applications wherein the flow of fluidis required during relatively short periods at intermittent intervals.During such periods as uid is to be neither introduced nor released fromthe passages 4 and 5 of the shaft B, the only engagement between therelative stationary assembly of the deviceand the rotating assembly ofthe device is through the ball bearings 36, thus eliminating excesssivewear which would ordinarily occur in devices having continuous slidingengagement with one another. If desired, a exible seal F of conventionalconstruction may be mounted in the end member 28 and arranged to havecircumferential sliding engagement with the shaft B to protect the ballbearings and their races and other parts of the device from dirt anddust.

Such sliding as occurs between the parts of the device is limited toperiods of inflation or deflation of the drive annulus C, or othermechanism engage said rings and to arrest the rotational controlledbythe rotary seal of thep'resent invention,"so that wear is reduced to aminimum and the life of the sealing-device is 'effectively prolonged.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in numerouslconstructions, changes being made in the particular details shown anddescribed as desired, it being understood that"` various modificationsand alterations vare lcontemplated and that the embodiment shown isgiven for purposes of explanation and illustration.

What I claim is:r v

1. A rotary fluid controlling device andseal for a shaft comprising anannular member rotatably mounted von the ,shaft but normally Vrotatabletherewith, a relatively stationarymember mounted adjacent the annularmember and movable toward the annular member to friction- ,d

ally engage the same andar'restrotational movement of thel annularmembenwinterconnecting passages through the members, means connectingone or said passages withV the shaft, and' means connecting one ofthefpassages 'with a' fluid conduit.

`2. A rotary fluid controlling device and seal fory a shaftcomprising'anannular member rotatably 1 mounted on the shaft, a passage through saidmember and communicating with the shaft, a deformable stationary membermounted adjacent` and in concentric relation to the annularvmember andadapted to be deformed into frictional engagement with the annularmember to prevent relative rotation between the members, a passagethrough vthe deformable stationary mem-- ber adapted to register withthe passage inthe annular member when the members are frictionallyengaged, and a fluidconductor connected to a the deformable member.v

3. A fluid seal construction for a rotatable shaft comprising an annularguidejtrack extending circumferentially around the shaft, an annul larmember rotatably mounted on the track and having sufficient frictionalengagement therewith,

to normally rotate with the shaft, a peripheral friction surface on saidmember, a deformable` gland mounted in a substantially stationarypositionadjacent said member and having a friction surface engageablewith the peripheral` surface on the member upon deformation of theglandto thereby hold the member against rotation and effect sliding ofthe member on theguidetrack.

4. AY fluid seal 4device for a shaft comprising an annular guidememberlsecured on the shaft and rotatable therewith, an annular fluidtransfer member dsposed about the shaft and rotatably` mounted on theguide,` a circumferential friction surface on said transfer member, adeformable gland mounted in a relatively' stationary position adjacentthe friction surface and normallyseparated therefrom, said gland beingadapted upon deformation to engage the frictional surface of thetransfer member to arrest the rotation thereof and to cause the memberto slide on theguide.

5.V A fluid *seal device for a rotatable shaft comprising a pair ofcircular guides disposed about the shaft and secured vthereto forrotation with the shaft, a-pair of rings `disposed about the shaft andmounted on the guides, said rings being slidable on the guides `butnormally rotating therewith through frictional engagement with theguides, a deformable gland mounted in a relatively stationary position'in confronting relation with respect to said rings, said 'gland beingvadapted, upon being deformed' to frictionally ,'bcrs.vr f

8."A shaft sealing deviceof the character demovement thereof, said'rings having sliding movement about the guides when so' arrested by thegland. 'f

6. A device ofthe character described for controlling the flow of fluidin ashaft comprising a pair of annular ring members disposed about theshaft andv normally rotatable therewith in unfison, a fluid passagethrough the rings, a deformable rubber gland mounted adjacent thememposed about the shaft in confronting relation with respect to bothsaid annular members, said gland being of greater axial extent thanradial thickness, a chamber within thegland; means for introducing 'auid under pressure to said chamber to-deform the gland, a fluid passagein the gland registerable with said fluid passage through the rings, andsaid gland being adapted upon distortion to frictionally engage theannular mem-Uv bers and to arrest the rotation thereof aboutthe shaft,with said fluid passages in register for the flow'of` fluid between thegland and ring memscribed comprising a pair of annular ring membersdisposed about the shaft inside' by side'relation and having.therebetween a passage for fluid communicating with a passage in theshaft,

said members beingrotatable relative to the-shaftbut normallyrotating'therewith through frictional engagement, a rubber gland mountedin l confronting relation with `respect to said members, a chamberv inthe gland, means for introducing Va fluidunder pressure into the chamberfor deforming the gland'vinto frictional engagement with theannularmembers to arrest the'rotation of the latter, and a passage inthe gland communicating with the passage between theannularmembers forthe flow' of fluid from the gland into the shaft while the annularmembers are held against rotation by frictional engagement.`

with the gland.

9. A .shaft sealing device-of the character described comprising a pa-irof guide membersfdi'sposed fabout the shaft and secured thereto forrotation with the shaft,` a'pair of annular ring members disposed aboutthe shaftfand having sliding. engagement with the guides, saidjringmembers normally .rotating with the shaft Lbe-A cause of the` frictionalengagement between the ring members and the guides, a deformable gland 1mounted in arelatively. stationary position ad# jacent the annular ringmembers, said gland bee" ing arranged upon deformation to engage theannular members to arrest the rotation of the same, and openingsthroughthe gland and be'- tween the annular members for the passage ,off

fluid into-the shaftj.` f

l0. A shaft sealing device comprising a pair of guide members vdisposedabout the shaft and secured thereto for rotation with the shaft, a'pairof annular "ring members disposed about the shaft and lhaving'slidingengagement with `the guides, saidring members normally rotating with theshaft because of the frictional engagement between the ring members andthe guides, a deformable gland mounted in a relatively stationaryposition adjacent the annular ring members, said gland being arrangedupon deformation to frictionally engage the annular ring members toarrest the rotation of the same, openings through the gland and betweenthe annular members for the passage of fluid into the shaft, andresilient means for urging the annular members into frictionalengagement with the guides to retain a sliding seal therewith while theannular members are held stationary by the gland.

11. A rotary seal for a shaft comprising a guide disposed about theshaft and secured thereto for rotation with the shaft, an annular ringmember disposed about the shaft'and slidingly mounted on the guide, arelatively stationary housing arranged so that the guide is journaled inthe housing, a deformable rubber gland carried by the housing inconfronting relation with respect to the annular member, and means foreffecting deformation of the gland to bring the latter into frictionalengagement with the annular ring member.

12. A construction for releasing fluid from a passage in a rotatingshaft, comprising a member disposed about the shaft and having a chamberin communication with the shaft passage, a valve carried by the memberand arranged upon being actuated to release fluid from the chamber, aring disposed about the shaft adjacent the member and guided for axialmovement relative to the shaft, an inflatable bag disposed adjacent thering, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into the bag toexpand the same and thereby move the ring to actuate the valve andrelease fluid from the chamber.

13. In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid into and out of a passage in a rotating shaft, a member disposedabout the shaft and having a chamber in communication with the shaftpassage, an annular ring member disposed about the shaft and nor mallyrotating therewith through frictional engagement, a deformable rubbergland mounted ina relatively stationary position acacent the annularring member, means for deforming the gland into frictional engagementwith the annular ringmember to arrest the rotation of the latter, andfluid passages for conducting fluid through the gland past the annularring member and into said chamber.

14. In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid into and out of a passage in a rotating shaft, a member disposedabout the shaft and having a chamber in communication with4 the shaftpassage, an annular ring member disposed about the shaft and normallyrotating therewith, a deformable rubber gland arranged to be broughtinto Vfrictional engagement with the annular ring member to arrest therotation thereof, means for conducting fluid through the gland past theannular ring member and into the chamber, a valve carried by thechambered member and arranged, upon being actuated, to release fluidfrom the chamber, a second annular ring disposed about the shaftadjacentv the valve and guided for axial movement relative thereto, andmeans for moving the second ring to actuate the valve and release fluidfrom the chamber.

15. In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid into and out of .a passage in a rotating shaft, a, rotatableassembly mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith including meansdening a chamber in communication with the shaft passage and an annularring member disposed about the shaft and cir-1 cumferentially slidabieon other members of the assembly, a relatively stationary assembly dis-Aposed about the shaft and the rotatable assem-` bly and including adeformable gland located in confronting relation with respect to theannular a rotatable assembly disposed about the shaft and securedthereto for rotation with the shaft, said rotatable assembly beingioumaled within the housing, means defining a fluid chamber in therotatable assembly in communication with the shaft passage, said`stationary assembly including a deformable member carried inconfronting relation to a member of the rotatable assembly, a fluidpassage through the deformable mem-ber, a fluid passage through therotatable assembly communicating with the chamber, and means fordeforming the deformable member into engagement with said confrontingmember of the rotatable assembly to effect therewith a substantiallyfluid-tight seal with the passage through the deformable member inalignment with the passage in the rotatable assembly to permit the flowof fluid therethrough into the chamber.

17. In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid into and outV of a passage in a rotating shaft, a member disposedabout the shaft and having a chamber in communication with the shaftpassage, a pair of guides disposed about the shaft, a pair of annularring members disposed about the shaft and having circumferential slidingengagement with the guides, means for resiliently pressing the annularmembers against the guides to retain a substantially fluid-tight sealtherewith, a fluid passage between the annular ring members andcommunicating with the chambered member, a housing disposed about theshaft and held against rotation, bearings between the housing and one ofthe guides, an annular deformable gland carried by the housing anddisposed in confronting relation with respect to said annular ringmembers, said gland having a fluid receiving chamber and a passagealigned with the passage between the annular ring members, means forintroducing a fluid under pressure into the gland chamber to deform thegland into frictional engagement with the annular ring members `to holdthe latter against rotation and eil'ect a substantially uuid-tight sealbetween the gland and the annular ring members, whereby fluid from thegland chamber may flow into the cham-` bered member through thepassages, a valve carried by the chambered member and arranged uponbeing actuated to release fluid from the chamber of the chamberedmember, a ring disposed about the shaft and guided for axial movementwith respect thereto by the housing, and means for movingthe ring toengage and actuate the valve to vrelease fluid` from the chamber.

18. Ina device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid in a rotatable shaft, i

means on the shaft providing an outwardly open- 2,810,309 yingcircumferentlally extending channel surrounding the shaft, a deformablegland extending circumferentially about the shaft and means supportingthe same in relatively stationary position over the path of the channel,a fluid passage in the gland', and means for deforming'the gland intosealing engagement with said means on the shaft and with said passage inregistry with the channel for the ow of fluid therebetween.

19. In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid in a rotatable shaft, means on the shaft providing an annularsealing surface, means dening a passage in the shaft opening throughsaid surface, a chambered deformable gland extending circumferentiallyabout the shaft, said gland being expendable upon inflation thereof,means supporting the gland in normally spaced relatively stationaryposition over said surface, means for introducing fluid under pressureinto the gland chamber to inflate the gland and thereby expand anddeform the gland into engagement with said surface, and a relativelysmall passage through the gland and disposed to register with the shaftpassage, said small passage being of such size as to maintain deforminginflation of the gland while fluid is supplied at said pressure, wherebyfluid introduced into the gland chamber to deform the same ows throughthe small passage into the shaft passage.

20.r In a device of the character described for controlling the flow offluid in a rotatable shaft, ring means on the shaft formed with anoutwardly directed V shaped sealing surface and a shaft passageopeningthrough said surface, said ring means having shoulder meansengaging shoulder means on the shaft and resisting axial movement of thering -means on the shaft, an arcuate gland supported in overlyingrelation to the ring means and having an inwardly directed V shapedsealing surface, a uid passage through that the sealing surface thereofengages the sealing surface of the ring means with the' gland passage inregistry with the shaft passage, said V shaped surfaces being soinclined as to hold the ring shoulder means'against the shaft shouldermeans by the pressure of engagement between the gland and the ringmeans.

21. In a device of the character described forl controlling the ow offluid in a rotatable shaft,

the gland, and means for moving the gland so ring means on the shaftformed with an outwardly directed V shaped sealing surface and a shaftpassage opening through said surface, said ring means having shouldermeans engaging shoulder means on the shaft and resisting axial movementof the ring means on the shaft, a chambered and deformable glandsupported in overlying relation with the ring means and -having aninwardly directed V shaped sealing surface, means for introducing afluid under pressure into the gland to deform the same and move thesealing surface thereof into engagement with the sealing surface of thering means, and a passage through the gland adapted to register with theshaft passage for the flow of fluid therethrough, said V shaped surfacesbeing so inclined as to hold the ring shoulder means against the shaftshoulder means by thepressure of engagement between the gland and thering means.

22. In a device ofthe character described for controlling the flow offluid in a rotatable shaft, a passage in the shaft, a valve carried bythe shaft and communicating with the passage, an elementhavingconnection with the valve and movable axially of the shaft toactuate the valve, ring means encircling the shaft adjacent the path ofthe element, an inflatable bag supported adjacent the ring means, andmeans for inflating the bag to expand the same and thereby shift thering means axially to move the element and continuously actuate thevalve during rotation of the shaft.

GLENN H. ORR.

